RE: Overall, what did you think of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks?

I found it interesting, although it was slow reading. I was not aware of the Hela experiments, much less where the cells originated and the family involved.

Beth350

Posted Aug. 11, 2011
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anitas

Join Date: 08/07/11

Posts: 2

RE: Overall, what did you think of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks?

I was a research biologist and used HeLa cells in my research and I often wondered how this cell line had such an unusual name. Now I know. This is a great book for many reasons. It beautifully described the difficulties of cell research and it told a marvelous story of Henrietta and her family. The book read like fiction. I love it and recommended it to all my friends.

Posted Aug. 14, 2011
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lorip

Join Date: 08/14/11

Posts: 1

RE: Overall, what did you think of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks?

I only learned of HeLa cells from this book. Rebecca Skloot educated me about the science of the HeLa cells, introduced me to many of the passionate and motivated people involved from the scientific community, and brought me with her into the Lacks family. I experienced a spectrum of emotions, from anger and fear, agony and disgust, to pride and hope. I applaud Rebecca Skloot for her detail, drive, brave honesty and skillful writing, but mostly for being non-judgmental so that I, the reader, could consider what I was learning and experiencing from so many perspectives: the clinical personnel, the scientific community and its beneficiaries, the Lacks family, Henrietta's survivors, and Henrietta. I now list this as one of my favorite books.

Posted Aug. 15, 2011
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lindaa

Join Date: 05/12/11

Posts: 1

RE: Overall, what did you think of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks?

This is a wonderful medical "detective story." Ever since I read "Eleven Blue Men" eons ago in college, I've been interested in these kinds of issues. Certainly brings up some serious medical ethics questions. Our book group will discuss it in September (we meet every other month) and I'm looking forward to the comments.

Posted Aug. 27, 2011
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Reader

Join Date: 08/11/11

Posts: 11

RE: Overall, what did you think of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks?

I love reading a book that makes me want to know more about the subject, the people, the history, etc. This book was so interesting and made me want that additional information more than any other book I've read in a long time. I found Adam Curtis's BBC documentary posted on his blog page at www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/adamcurtis/2010/06/the_undead_henrietta_lacks_and.html, and I so thoroughly enjoyed seeing and hearing, however briefly, the family members and some of the scientists from the story. It gave me chills thinking of the author watching this same documentary in that locked beauty salon during her early research. I'm so glad she pursued this story and wrote this fascinating book.

Posted Sep. 14, 2011
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josellek

Join Date: 04/28/11

Posts: 3

RE: Overall, what did you think of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks?

I thought this book offered so much food for thought about medical ethics, about the value of a human life and about the way we ought to treat one another. And I thought the author presented these issues in a way that made conversations about them useful for future generations. It's a very good book that I've recommended to all my reading friends for just that reason.

Posted Oct. 07, 2011
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suzanneb

Join Date: 05/21/11

Posts: 6

RE: Overall, what did you think of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks?

I thought it was quite an eye opener! I am sure this is still going on to-day even though there are laws against. In some areas the doctor is still considered "God". I know many people who just take the doctor's word for it and don't question any thing further.

It is really a sad comment on society that still to this day the Lacks family does not have any health coverage. Morally they should receive funds from all the greedy drug companies who made millions of dollars.

It is always and always will be profits over people!

Posted Nov. 09, 2011
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Sweet Sue

Join Date: 11/09/11

Posts: 1

RE: Overall, what did you think of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks?

I could only get about halfway through it. But I got the jist of the story and was shocked to hear that Ms. Lacks was treated as she was and that it took this long to inform the public. The family should be given everything possible as recompense.